saturday, september 13: national day of action in support of iraq war resisters in canada

Tomorrow, Saturday, September 13, come out to support U.S. war resisters in Canada.

On June 3, Parliament passed a motion calling on the Government to cease deportation proceedings against these people of conscience seeking refuge in Canada, and to allow the war resisters to stay.

In poll after poll, a clear majority of Canadians - nearly two-thirds - supports war resisters and believes they should be allowed to remain in Canada.

In spite of the wishes of the Canadian people - in spite of democracy - the Harper Government continues to forcibly remove war resisters, and to send them back to the US, where they face harsh punishment.

Robin Long is now in prison.

James Burmeister is now in prison.

Both men were given a dishonourable discharge, which will follow them for the rest of their lives.

Their only "crime" was refusing to participate in the illegal, immoral, unsanctioned war against Iraq.

Conscientious Objector Jeremy Hinzman, his spouse Nga Nguyen, their son Liam (six years) and their daughter Meghan (eight weeks) have been served with a removal order, effective September 23. We cannot let this happen!

We won with Corey Glass: the court ordered his case to be re-heard. We can win with Jeremy Hinzman.

But even more importantly, we need these proceedings against all war resisters in Canada to STOP.

Make your voice heard.

CALGARY
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
A Presentation at Parkdale United Church 2919 8th Avenue NW

EDMONTON
1:00 p.m. Rally at City Hall
Rally called by the NoSPP.ca Group and supported by the Council of Canadians, the Edmonton Coalition against War and Racism and other organizations.

HAMILTON
1:00 p.m. (sharp!) to 1:45 p.m.
New Federal Building
Bay Street Across from Copps Coliseum
Sponsored by the Hamilton Coalition to Stop the War
Please call 905.383.7693 for more details

HALIFAX
12:00 noon
Spring Garden Library
For details visit Halifax Peace Coalition or email hfxpeace at chebucto.ns.ca.

KITCHENER-WATERLOO - see comments for weather update!
10:30 a.m.: Material distribution and signing of the petition at Speakers Corner in Kitchener (King & Benton), followed by a walk to Victoria Park
12:30 p.m.: Gather at the Clock Tower in Victoria Park in Kitchener for a support rally. There will be speakers, live music, and food.
For more info: Erik Lankin 519.498.9811

LONDON
1:00 p.m.
Richmond/Central at Victoria Park
March to the Federal Building and then to Covent Garden Market
For more info visit London War Resisters Support Group.

MONTREAL
À midi:
PIQUETAGE DEVANT LE COMPLEXE GUY-FAVREAU,
200 boul. René Lévesque ouest

At noon:
PICKET IN FRONT OF COMPLEXE GUY-FAVREAU,
200 René Lévesque West

Collectif Échec à la guerre

NELSON
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Cottonwood Market
Come by to sign a letter to Harper and Finley demanding that the deportations STOP, and that the motion passed in Parliament be ENACTED. You'll also have an opportunity to send a postcard to Robin Long. We'll have petitions, information, and conversation to share.

OAKVILLE
1:00 p.m. Lakeshore Road in front of Towne Square
Join your neighbours, come out for peace.

OTTAWA
2:00 p.m. Mass leaflet at entrance to ByWard Market (corner of William and Rideau Streets)
3:30 p.m. March to Prime Minister's Office (corner of Elgin and Wellington Streets)
5:00 p.m. Film screening and fundraiser at Cafe Nostalgica (University of Ottawa)

For more info: goresisters at gmail dot com.

ST. JOHN'S
1:00 p.m. Victoria Street Gazebo
Featuring Special Guests US War Resisters Ryan and Jennifer Johnson

TORONTO
1:00 p.m. Rally at Lake Devo, corner of Gould and Victoria Streets (Dundas subway), march

VANCOUVER
1:00 p.m. Vancouver Art Gallery, Robson Street side
For more info: vanresisters at yahoo dot ca or 778.837.1475

WINNIPEG
1:00 pm Memorial Park (northwest side of Broadway Ave and Memorial Blvd)
Speakers include Vietnam and Iraq war resisters
For more info: peacenews at mts dot net

There are also events in the following cities, but I don't have details. Contact local peace groups and Google for info. Or someone reading fill me in!

Fredericton

Guelph

Midland

Simcoe

Victoria

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Note: if anyone has more information about any of tomorrow's actions, please email me or leave it in comments and I will post. Thanks!